As of September 29, 2025, BMV has ceased processing all applications for non-domiciled CDL/CLPs, including applications for new, amended, duplicated, transferred, renewed, or upgraded non-domiciled CDL/CLPs. Affected non-domiciled CDL/CLP customers may submit an application at a BMV license branch to apply for or downgrade to a non-CDL driver’s license should they so choose.
Commercial Driver's License Overview
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements are stricter than any other Indiana driver's license and are based upon stringent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Individuals who hold an Indiana CDL are permitted to operate the following vehicles:
- Commercial motor vehicles or combinations of vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings in excess of 26,000 pounds
- Vehicles designed to transport 16 or more people, including the driver; and vehicles used to transport hazardous materials.
Beginning June 23, 2025, in accordance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) final rule under the National Registry II (NRII) (49 CFR § 383.71), all states must accept Medical Examiner's Certificates (MECs) in an electronic format.
The certified physician will send the MEC to the National Registry who will then electronically submit the information to the state of record to be applied to the driving record. As a result, BMV's branches and CDL Department will not be allowed to accept physical copies of MECs.
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Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH)
State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) are required to remove the commercial driving privileges or deny CLP/CDL transactions for any applicant that has a status of Prohibited on DACH until FMCSA updates their status on DACH to Not Prohibited. Indiana will begin querying DACH September 23, 2024. For additional information on DACH, please visit the Clearinghouse website.
Frequently Asked Questions About CDLs
Your CDL expires on your birthday and a late fee will be charged if the license is renewed after that date. If your birthday falls on a day when BMV branches are closed, such as a Sunday or a Monday, your license will remain valid until the end of the next business day.
You will need to obtain a CDL if you operate a commercial motor vehicle that:
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 pounds; or
- Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
- Is any size and is carrying hazardous materials which require placarding
- Have a valid Indiana driver's license;
- Have a valid United States Social Security number;
- Be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident or qualify for a Non-Domiciled CDL;
- Pass a DOT physical examination and provide the BMV with an valid Medical Examination Report (MER) and Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC);
- Obtain a commercial learner’s permit; and
- Pass a skills test in a vehicle class you intend to operate.
A CDL skills exam must be taken at one of the authorized CDL driving skills exam sites. There you will demonstrate your knowledge and skills of operating a commercial motor vehicle.
If your CDL has been expired, disqualified, canceled, revoked, voluntarily surrendered, relinquished, or invalidated for longer than three (3) years, you must meet all application requirements as if you are applying for an initial CDL, including applicable knowledge exams and CDL skills tests. [140 IAC 7-3-17.5(d)].
The DOT Physical Examination forms —Medical Examination Report (MER) and Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) — are available from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Companies and individual drivers can check the processing status of a Medical Examiner’s Certificate by calling 888-692-6841 and selecting option number three.
Your certified physician will send the MEC to the National Registry, and the National Registry will electronically submit the information to the state of record to be applied to the driving record.
If you have questions regarding your MEC or want to know the status of your forms, view your Driver Record using your myBMV account or contact the BMV at 888-692-6841.
Not currently. On September 29, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) issued significant amendments to portions of the Code of Federal Regulations (“CFR”) governing how and to whom states may issue non-domiciled CDL/CLPs. See 49 CFR §§ 383-384. Specifically, 49 CFR § 384.301(q) provides as follows: “A State must come into substantial compliance with the requirements of subpart B of this part and part 383 of this chapter related to non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs, effective September 29, 2025, prior to issuing . . . transferring, renewing, or upgrading a non-domiciled CLP or CDL.”
In order to comply with these new, more restrictive federal regulations, BMV has temporarily ceased to issue any non-domiciled CDL/CLPs until such time as BMV can do so in alignment with federal requirements.
